Asher was pleased to notice the weather was fair. Though there seemed to be endless clouds present in the sky, none of them came with the threat of rain.
As they walked to Lord Renner’s home, Everly also commented on it. “It’s the perfect day for a garden party.” The hand she had on his arm tightened. “The clouds will mean no lady need hold a parasol, which means everyone can participate in battledore.”
“Battledore?” Asher asked as they climbed the steps. “I’ve not played it in many years.”
Everly’s eyes widened. “You’ll play today?”
“Why not?” He grinned. “Besides, it will give me reason to keep my hands off of you. I have yet to tell you how beautiful you look today.”
Her cheeks grew red, and she lowered her lashes.
They’d put aside the bet and as he stared down at Everly, he couldn’t help but be grateful for it.
She wore red again and in the fashion that presented her curves in a tempting fashion. “I wore it for you.” She bit her lower lip.
He groaned and wondered if it was too late to return to the carriage in order to sample her enticing mouth. Since his proposal, Asher had been working very hard to control his lust. He and Everly had not done more than kiss… though she still tried to get him to do more. She saw no reason to wait when the banns had already been read on Sunday. In two weeks, they’d be man and wife.
But Asher already knew what he wanted. His goal was to give her what he should have years ago, the night she would have had had Asher not refused their match.
She deserved it. She deserved the world.
The door opened and Everly’s expression quickly took on the one she used when in charge. She’d barely passed over the threshold before she began to shout orders. She started with the butler. “I waited for nearly a full minute before that door was opened. I’m sure you can be faster than that?”
The butler bowed. “Of course, my lady.”
She nodded and then moved deeper into the house. Servants were already running between the public rooms, moving the furniture, something Everly informed them that they should have done the day before.
Asher folded his arms as he watched her work. It was a side of her he’d known existed but hadn’t seen for himself.
Everly’s flourished when she was at work. The servants respected her. She transformed the space just by being in it.
The housekeeper came out, sneezing and coughing profusely as she spoke with Everly. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief but was unable to do so while she spoke.
Asher grew nervous about her nearness to Everly, but then relaxed when Everly sent her to rest.
He listened to the appealing sound of her voice, took in her regal posture, and followed the sway of her hips as though they held the ability to save his very soul.
Possessiveness took hold of him. Soon he’d own those hips and the woman they were attached to.
He’d thought he’d have been bored upon his arrival, but he was far from it. Soon Lord and Lady Renner arrived. They were both flushed, and Asher didn’t bother to take a guess at where they’d been. Diana began assisting Everly in the preparations and Lord Renner invited Asher to follow him to the garden out back.
There was more activity to be found there.
“You can’t imagine how pleased my wife is to know her cousin will soon be wed,” Lord Renner said. “She often speaks about how wonderful Everly has always been to her. Often an older sister, sometimes a strong mother.”
Asher thought Everly would make a wonderful mother. She had a tender heart that she didn’t allow to weaken her. He wished there was a way to make her efforts at her school public, but Asher could already list a dozen men who would rally against women receiving such an education—her own cousin Lord Ellevear would be one.
“Everly holds the same affection for her cousin,” Asher said. They’d both spoken about their families during their week of courtship—while avoiding any talk of his brother John. Everly had told him more about her feelings about her mother and how the fear of being anything like her had driven Everly to decide never to marry.
Asher was still amazed that a woman was beautiful and wonderful as Everly had let him in. He’d not allow her to regret her decision to marry him.
He still hadn’t told her that he’d once been offered her hand. A part of him wasn’t sure he should. If it made any difference, he didn’t see it doing anything good.
Yet it felt far too much like a secret for him to not share. He simply didn’t know when was the best time.
Sometime later, both women rushed from the house and Diana went to her husband.
She was slightly pale. “The party begins in less than an hour. Should we stand by the door and wait?” She was nearly trembling. She looked between her husband and her cousin for a reply.
Everly smiled and touched her shoulder. “You’ll be fine. You’ve a wonderful staff. Many of them have worked for other families and served at other parties. Trust them.” A few servants had also come out behind them, carrying trays to the lawn. They wore small grins at the praise.
Diana took a deep breath then smiled. “Oh, Everly, thank you.” Then she took Lord Renner’s hand and rushed back into the house.
Everly settled at his side on the back terrace and sighed. “A week ago, I thought I’d never have the chance to do this again. Even if Fallen had lost the case, my reputation would have been ruined.”
“I’d never have allowed that to happen,” Asher said.
She turned to him and lifted a brow. “Asher, you can do many things, but stop my reputation from being soiled is not one of them.”
She was wrong. If he couldn’t save her reputation, then he’d break the very fabric of society until they were unsure of what to make of her. He was happier than he’d been in years. His heart felt light. His life brighter.
He’d dare anyone to take that away from him.
She turned fully to him then and frowned. “What’s going on in that head of yours? You look to be plotting a war.”
“Only against anyone who dares bring you harm.”
Her visage grew soft. “Asher…”
Then they turned at the sound of voices coming from inside. The party was about to begin and any private words they wished to share with one another would have to wait.
But he wasn’t impatient. He’d have forever with the woman before him.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 9
Everly should have been prepared to see Abigail. She was, conclusively, one of Diana’s dearest friends, yet the sight of her did not please Everly in the least. Especially considering the very rude glares she was shooting at Everly.
Though Miss Abigail Christensen could not be fully blamed for her anger. Everly was engaged to the man the girl had had her heart set on.
Still, Everly was startled when she finally got a moment alone, away from the many congratulations she and Asher were receiving, and Abigail approached her.
“Had I known you to be a lightskirt, I never would have asked Diana to ask for your assistance.” The venom in her words was palatable.
Everly did feel a twinge of guilt since she had told Abigail that she was not interested in Asher.
Things had changed vastly in a fortnight.
While Everly thought to comment on the ‘lightskirt’ accusation, she eventually saw no need. She was marrying the man she loved. Abigail’s judgment mattered not.
“Miss Christensen, you are one of my cousin’s dearest friends. It would be good if we could find some way to be pleasant to one another.”
“Never!” Her blue eyes grew large with tears. “You have made me look a complete fool! All of my friends knew I had my heart set on Lord Ayers.”
Everly sighed. It was a beautiful day. She would hate for it be ruined by this. “Miss Christensen…”
“I will not stop until I ruin you, you whore!”
Everly’s eyes flashed then narrowed. She was no longer in the mood to be cordial.
But her retort was cut short by Asher’s approach.
“Miss Christensen,” he began. “Won’t you excuse me. I’ve someone I wish my fiancée to meet.” Then he started them away before Abigail could say more and embarrass herself.
“That girl!” Everly hissed.
“She doesn’t matter,” Asher said with eyes warmer than the sky. “You are Everly Wycliff, a patroness of Almack’s, a very well-respected woman, and the future wife to a duke. A duke, who mind you, is very much in love with you. What does her opinion matter?”
Her heart was arrested, and her steps faltered until they came to a complete stop. “You love me?”
Asher seemed surprised by her question. “Have you not been paying attention to anything I’ve been saying?”
I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.
I’ll protect you.
Ask what it is you would have of me and it is yours.
Sweet and whispered confessions came to her one after the other.
I like you just as you are... very much.
In my mind, we’ve been engaged for the last half hour...But in my heart, you have been mine for a very long time.
They were words she’d never forget. The sort you told your daughters when they were ready to marry, so that they’d know how to choose the right man and who to trust with their heart.
He did love her, and perhaps she had known for some time. Still, she asked, “When? When did you start loving me?”
He touched her cheek right there in the middle of the garden where others could see. Then he lowered his hand, but his gaze continued to caress. “I cannot say for certain, but I believe it became clear the moment you took my hand at the constable’s office. I had never experienced so many emotions than in that moment. I knew then what you were to me and didn’t wish to ever let you go.”
She smiled. “But you hated me before that.”
His gaze narrowed. “I never hated you.”
“You did. I invited you to my parties every year, and you declined them all.” She tilted her head. “Two of your siblings are two of my dearest friends and yet I rarely saw you. I was nearly certain you were avoiding me.”
He paused briefly before he confessed, “I was avoiding you. I’m surprised you even noticed. You are always surrounded by people.”
She frowned. “Of course, one notices when the Duke of Ayers declines their invitation over and over again. To save myself from further embarrassment, I stopped inviting you altogether.”
“So, it was the duke you wished there,” he said. “Not just me?”
“I… didn’t know you.” She worried her lip nervously.
He leaned toward her slightly, his eyes hooded, staring at her mouth. “Don’t do that. It’s entirely distracting.”
She took her teeth off her lips and felt heat pour into her sensitive places. Somehow, she managed to find her words. “For a long time, I thought you dull, but now that I know you, I can’t imagine why I ever thought so.” It was better he learned it from her and others, for she’d been slightly public about finding the Duke of Ayers wanting. Yet now they were getting married.
“You thought me dull, yet, you continued to invite me,” he said. “Why? Because I’m a duke?”
“No, it had nothing to do with your title,” she said.
“Then why?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I just… wanted you there.” Was it possible that she’d harbored her own feelings for Asher?
The corners of his lips lifted as though he understood her well. “I avoided you, because I thought it was for the best.”
“Why?” she asked.
He touched her elbow and stroked his fingers up her arm. “Because, I knew that a taste of you would never be enough. One smile and one look of tenderness toward me, and I would not stop until you were mine.”
And then he’d kissed her in the tree.
And it had happened just as he’d thought it would.
She was his. Wholly. “I’m very glad you came to the masquerade and I’m glad you fought for my heart. I love you, Assurance.”
His eyes flashed with surprise and then he grinned. “I know.”
She laughed and didn’t even bother to ask him for an explanation. Her heart was likely written on her face, but she was glad the words were finally out.
Since a girl, she’d always known better than to hope for a love match. When her father had informed her at fifteen that he’d chosen a man for her, she’d only been able to hope that her life would be better with her husband than with her father.
She hadn’t even hoped for contentment. She’d only wanted the pain to end.
Then her father had informed her that the gentleman didn’t want her and Everly had experienced further torture.
He’d beaten her that day.
Everly remembered praying to die.
But God had had other plans.
The day of her father’s death was the first time Everly had found herself able to breathe. She’d been surprised that he’d left her all his money along with the property.
The very next day, she’d stripped the home of anything that reminded her of her parents. She’d had masons and builders refurnish until it was something new. Only then was she content.
Only then was she happy.
And now that she knew love… she’d discovered an emotion far past happiness. It was bliss. It burned through her and settled like gentle kisses on her skin.
“Thank you,” she suddenly said. “For loving me.” She didn’t fear the words making her appear weak in his eyes, because she was weak, for him and him alone.
He touched her cheek again. His expression had never been so sweet. “Look away.”
“What?”
His look became foreboding. “Look away before I embarrass us both by touching you the way I wish.”
She closed her eyes and grinned even as her skin became overly sensitive.
He filled in the foot of space that separated them and then whispered in her ear, “You’ve no idea how you tempt me.”
She gripped his arm and squeezed as her body rioted for relief.
Then he pulled away and sighed. “We should mingle with others.”
“Yes,” she said with a great breath.
“Two weeks,” he told her, and his grin returned.
“Two weeks,” she replied. “And not a day more.” Because if this man wasn’t her husband by the end of the fortnight, her mind was likely to break.
He chuckled.
“I hope we’re not interrupting anything,” a strong male voice said from a distance.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 0
Everly turned to find Diana on the arm of her brother, Apollo, the current Lord Ellevear.
Diana grinned.
Apollo did not. He was clearly not pleased with her and Asher’s display of affection, but she knew he’d say nothing. Not to a duke. Definitely not to Asher.
“Lord Ayers,” Apollo began. “My sister tells me congratulations are in order.” He looked at Everly. “I know your father would be pleased by this match.”
As though Everly would do anything for him! Apollo had to have known this, had to have known the words were the last Everly wished to hear, yet as she looked into his eyes she could see nothing.
Apollo, who was a few years younger than Everly, only held hints of the family’s resemblance. His dark hair held flicks of red, which gave his locks a deep mahogany glow. He had eyes like his sister’s, green, but much darker. He was tall and Everly had heard women comment about his beauty, which she supposed was true, though she herself knew the man Apollo had taken after and thus didn’t care what he looked like.
She and Apollo would never see eye to eye.
They rarely spoke. It was only when his mother insisted that he approached her at all. The announcement of a wedding would demand he extend some formal words of kindness.
Asher smiled. “Your cousin has made me a very happy
man by agreeing to the match.”
Diana smiled. “A love match, just like I always hoped.”
Apollo said, “Well, if anyone could handle Everly, it would be you, Your Grace.”
She’d not mistaken his emphasis on ‘handle.’
“I don’t imagine Everly in need of handling,” Asher said. He smiled down at Everly. “Besides, it is she who will handle me. My heart, at the very least.”
Everly would have jumped and squealed if it were appropriate. Luckily, Diana did it for her.
“Diana,” her brother chastened.
Diana calmed but her smile remained. “Mother is quite happy for you as well. She writes that she will be here for you on your wedding day since your mother cannot.”
Everly smiled. “I shall write to her my thanks.” Everly’s aunt had remained in the country since she never cared for the city. Everly hadn’t even thought to need some motherly figure for the ceremony. She was not a young girl, though it was true she knew nothing about the marriage bed. She trusted Asher to teach her all she needed to know. Still, it moved her that her aunt wished to be there for her.
“It has just occurred to me that both your parents would have been pleased by this match.” There was a little smirk on Apollo’s lips as though he found some inner thought quite amusing. “You have seen to both heart and duty.”
Unable to help herself Everly said, “And what would you have known about my mother’s wishes?”
Apollo looked at her. “Though I didn’t know the woman myself, she was quite vocal in her letters.”
Everly stilled. “Letters?”
“To your father.” Apollo frowned in disapproval. “They were found in his personal papers when I took over the estate.” Everly had not been given anything from the Elleyear estate, since all had been attached to the title. She hadn’t wanted anything anyway. She’d never gone back.
She couldn’t believe what her cousin was saying. “My mother wrote letters? To my father?”
The Perfect Duke (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 20
